Set-works for sawmill-carriages.



No. 721,160. PATENTED FEB. 24, 1903.

A. CUNNINGHAM. SET WORKS 011 SAWMILL GARRIAGES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 12, 1900. N0 MODEL. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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No. 721,160. PATENTED FEB. 24, 1903.

. A. GUNNINGHAM;

SET WORKS FOR SAWMILL CARRIAGE-S. APPLICATION FILED my 12, 1900. noMODILL.

4 SEEETSBHEET 2.

PATBNTE'D FEB. 24, 1903. A. CUNNINGHAM.

SET WORKS FOR SAWMILL GARRIAGES.

APPLICATION TILED MAY 12, 1900.

H0 MODEL.

THE Nonms PErzRs 00.; Puomuma. WASNINGYDL 0:0.

No.721,160. vPATBIITEDIEEILWQ1903." Y A.- CUNNINGHAM. I

SET WORKS FOR SAWMILL GARRIAGES.

APPLICATION rmm unis, 1900. 30 MODEL.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT CUNNINGHAM, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

SET-WORKS FOR SAWMILL-CARRIAGES.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 721,160, dated February24,1903.

Application filed May 12, 1900.

T0 aZZ whont it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT CUNNINGHAM, a citizen of the United States,residing at Mil waukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State ofWisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSet-Works for Sawmill-Carriages, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,formingapart thereof.

The main objects of my invention are to apply power to the operation ofthe set-works in such a way that it may be brought into action andcontrolled by the manipulation of a lever in accordance with thecustomary mode of hand-setting in such a way that the initial movementof the leverin eitherdirectionwill cause the power to .act in acorresponding direction upon the set-works until the lever is stopped orcomes to rest at any point, whereupon the power will be automaticallycut off and the movement of the set-works arrested, to graduate thepower according to the Work to be done, to permit the operation of theset- Works by hand in the usual way without employing the auxiliarypower, and generally to improve the construction and operation of powerset-works.

It consists in a certain novel construction and arrangement of parts, ashereinafter par.- ticularly described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings like letters designate the same parts inthe several figures.

Figure 1 is a side elevation and vertical section of one form ofset-works embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a .front elevation andvertical section of a part of the mechanism shown in Fig.1 as viewedfrom the right with reference to that figure. Fig. 3 is a side elevationand vertical section on the line 3 3, being a reverse View of a part ofthe mechanism shown in Fig. 1. Fig. t is a horizontal section on theline 4 4., Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-section on the line 5 5,Fig-.2. Fig. 6 is a side elevation and vertical section on the line 6 6,Fig. 7, of a modified form of a part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1.Fig. 7 is a rear elevation thereof; and Fig. 8 is a plan view. andhorizontal section shown in Figs. .6 and 7 in connection with a portionSerial No. 16,397. (No model.)

of a sawmill-carriage, set-shaft, and headblock.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, A designates one of thehead-blocks of a sawmillcarriage, B one of the knees or standardsmounted and movable lengthwise upon said head-block, and C the set-shaftsupported in suitable bearings lengthwise of the carriage and providedwith a ratchet-wheel D and, as shown in Fig. 8, with pinions E, whichmesh with racks on the knees or standards B.

F is a rock-shaft supported in suitable bearings on the back side of thecarriage parallel with the set-shaft G.

G G are vibrating pawl-carriers ioosely mounted on the set-shaft O onopposite sides of the ratchet-wheelD and.provided,as shown in Figs. land8, with pawls g g, which are adapted to engage with the teeth of saidratchet-wheel and turn it in one direction. These pawl-carriers areconnected by links h h with oppositely-projecting arms H H on therock-shaft F, so that as one pawl-carrier is movedforward the other willbe moved backward, and when the mechanism is at rest, as shown in Fig.1, the two pawl-carriers will be directly opposite each other.

The parts above described are in construction, arrangement, andoperation like or similar to those ordinarily employed in sawmillset-works and do not of themselves constitute my invention, but areessential parts of a complete set-works, and therefore necessary to afull and clear understanding of my improvements.

I is an arm fixed upon the shaft F and provided with opposing stops '52'.

J is a quadrant mounted on the carriageframe next to the arm I andprovided with a fixed stopj and an adjustable stop j, by which themovement of the arm I and the rock-shaft F is limited in both directionsand varied for cutting lumber of difierent dimensions.

K is a lever formed at its lower end with a hub or sleeve, which isloosely mounted on the shaft F next to the arm I. on said arm projectinto the path of said lever and limit its independent movement in bothdirections. Thelever K, in connection with the arm I and its stops 2' i,affords means The stops 6 vi for operating the set-works by hand in theusual way. At its lower end said lever is formed or provided with acrank-arm 7c, the purpose of which will be hereinafter explained.

L is the cylinder of a steam-engine or other suitable fluid-pressuremotor for actuating or assisting to actuate the set-works. It ispreferably supported in a vertical position on a standard L, which ismounted on the carriage-frame. M is the piston fitted in said cylinderand connected by its rod m, which passes through a stufling-box in thelower head of said cylinder, with a rack N, guided in vertical ways Z inthe standard L. The rack N meshes with a segment-gear O, fixed on theshaft F. The cylinder L is formed or provided on one side with avalve-case P, which communicates, through passagesp p, with oppositeends of said cylinder and with an intermediate exhaust-passage p.

Q is a rocking valve fitted to turn in said valve-case and formed with arecess or cavity which in the central position of said valve extendsslightly over the ports of the passages p p, and thereby establishescommunication between both ends of the cylinder and the exhaust-passagep. The stem of said valve projects at one end through the valve-case andis provided with a crank-arm q, as shown in Fig. 3.

R is the supply-pipe, leading into the valvecase P.

R is the exhaust-pipe,leading out of the passage p, which is shown asextending around the cylinder L.

S is a lever formed with an opening through which the shaft F passes andconnected by a link 8 with the crank-arm 7c. It is pivoted between theshaft Fand the link 3 on a pin 0, projecting from one side of the gearOthrough a slot in one side of the standard L, as shown in Figs. 2, 3,and t. It is also pivotally connected with the head 25 on the lower endof a rod T, which is pivotally connected at its upper end with the arm gon the stem of the valve Q. For the purpose of making the parts right orleft the lever S is made in two sections, which are bolted together onopposite sides of the head 25, and the head If is made with a largeopening through which the shaft F passes and is formed on opposite sidesaround said opening with circular flanges, which are fitted to turn inthe circular openings in the sections of lever S, as shown in Figs. 4and 5.

The crank-arm may be connected directly by a pivot-pin with the lever S,one of the connected parts having a slotted opening to receive said pinand allow for the arc movement of said lever in turning upon thepivot-pin 0, thereby dispensing with the link connection 8.

U is a tapered block or slide mounted upon the lever K and movableendwise thereon between the stops t' i, so as to vary the amount of playbetween said lever and the arm I or,

if desired, to take up all of the play between said parts and lock themtogether.

My improved set-works hereinbefore described operates as follows: Theparts of the mechanism being at rest, as shown in Fig. 1, with the leverK against the front stop '5 and the arm I against the home-stop j, thevalve Q will stand in the position shown in Fig. l to admit steam orother actuating fluid through the lower passage pinto the lower end ofthe cylinder L and to release the steam or actuating fluid from theupper end of said cylinder, and the piston M will thus be held at theupper limit of its stroke. If now the lever K is thrown backward by theoperator, its initial movement in passing from the front to the backstop 2' will operate through the arm 70 and link 8 to turn the lever Supon the pivot-pin 0 from a position indicated by the oblique dottedline 4 4 on Fig. 3 into the position indicated by the dotted line 1.This movement of the lever S operating through the connecting-rod T willturn the valve-arm q upward and the valve Q downward, therebyestablishing communication through the upper passage 19 between thefluid-pressure supply and the upper end of said cylinder and opening thelower end of said cylinder through the lower passage 19 to exhaust. Thepiston M will thereupon be forced downward with the rack N, which,operating through the gear 0, will turn the shaft F and arm I in thesame direction as that given to the lever K by the operator. the lever Kis arrested at any point or its movement is checked, the slightcontinued movement of the gear 0 required to bring the arm I into acentral position with relation to the lever K will through the pivot-pin0 turn the lever S on its pivot connection with the link .9 as a fulcrumbackward or downward into the position indicated by the dotted line 2 onFig. 3, and this movement of said lever communicated through theconnecting-rod T and valve-arm q to the valve Q will turn said valveinto its middle position, in which it will cutofl the admission of theactuating fluid to both ends of the cylinder and open them to exhaustthrough the passages 19 p and p. The piston M, and hence the set-workswith which it is operatively connected, will thus be stopped and willremain quiescent until the lever K is again moved by the operator. Incase said lever is returned at once against the front stop 1', as in theordinary operation of the set-works, the valve Q will be shifted backinto its original position, thereby admittint, the actuating fluid tothe lower end of cylinder L and releasing it from the upper end of saidcylinder, in consequence of which i the parts will resume their originalpositions,

as shown in Fig. 1. In the manipulation of set-works of this kind it iscustomary to move the setting-lever backward and forward for eachadvance movement of the standards or knees B on the head-blocks A,

the stop j being adjusted to limit the backward throw of said lever andthe arm I for any thickness or dimension of lumber it may be desired tocut. The initial movement of the lever K backward applies the power inthe manner above explained to move the arm I in the same direction aslong as said leveris carried by the operator in advance of said ar'm.When its movementis arrested by the operator, the movement of the arm Iby the motor will also be arrested, and upon reversing the movement ofsaid lever the movement of the arm .I by the motor will also bereversed, so that the movements of the arm I and the operation of theset-works by the motor will be under absolute control of the lever K andcorrespond exactly with the movements imparted to said lever by theoperator.

In case the auxiliary power is too strong for setting small logs orlight lumber it may be reduced by thrusting the tapered slide U betweenthe stops t '5; so as to take up more or less of the lost motion betweenthe lever K and the arm I, and thus reduce the independent movement ofsaid lever by which the valve Q is opened.

In case it is desired to operate the set-Works in the usual way entirelyby hand without the aid of the motor the slide U may be adjusted to takeup all the play between the v lever K and arm I and cause them to act asa simple lever, rigidly fastened on the shaft F.

Referring to the modified form of the apparatus shown in Figs. 6 to 8,inclusive, a lever V is pivoted between its ends on the crankpin of thevalve-arm q and is connected at one end by a rod T with one end of alever S, which is pivoted between its ends on the crank-pin of the armof lever K. The other end of the lever S is forked andpivotallyconnected with the shorter arm of a lever O, fixed on the shaft F. Theother longer arm of said lever O is connected. by a rod v with the otherarm of the lever V. The operation of this modified arrangement of theapparatus is substantially like that of the apparatus hereinbeforedescribed. When the arm I is against the home stop j and the lever K isagainst the front stop 2', the valve Q will be held in a position toadmit the actuating fluid to the lower end of the cylinder L and release it from the upper end of said cylinder, as indicated by dottedlines 3 on Fig. 6. The piston M will thus be held at the upper limit ofits stroke. leverK is swung backward against the back stop 11 on the armI, it will operate through the arm is to turn the lever S upward'on itspivot connection with the lever O as a fulcrum, and the lever S, actingthrough the connecting-rod T, will turn the lever V upward on its pivotconnection with the rod '0 as a fulcrum. The valve-arm q will thus beturned upward and thevalve Q, downward into the position in which it isshown by full If under these conditions-the lines in Fig. 6. Theactuating fluid will now be admitted to the upper end of the cylinder Land released from the lower end of said cylinder, and the piston M willbe driven downward. The arm I through its connections with the motorwill be thus caused to follow up the movement of the lever K until itreaches a position central with relation thereto, whereupon theactuating fluid will -be cut off from both ends of the cylinder and thepiston will be stopped. The movement of the lever O as the arm I isbrought up by the motor to a position central with respect to the leverK operates, through the lever S and the connecting-rod T and throughtheconnecting-rod o, to lower both ends of the lever V and turn thevalve Q into its middle position, in which it will cut off the actuatingfluid from both ends of the cylinder and open them to exhaust. If, as isthe customary operation of the set-works, the lever K is carriedbackward by the operator against the back-stop 1 till the arm I strikesthe adjustable back-stop j, the several parts of the mechanism willoccupy positions indicated by dotted lines 4 on Fig; 6, the valve Q willremain in the position in which it is shown by full lines, and thepiston M will be held down at the lower limit of its stroke by thefluid-pressure admitted to the upper end of the cylinder. A reversal ofthe movement of the lever K will produce a reversal of the operationsabove described. As in the other form of the apparatus first described,the

movements of the arm'I and the operation of y the set-works produced bythe motor are under the control of the lever K and will follow andcorrespond with the movements imparted by hand to said lever.

Various changes in minor details of construction and arrangement ofparts other than those specifically shown and described may be madewithout departing from the principle and intended scope of my invention.

I claim- 1. In sawmill set-works the combination of a motor operativelyconnected with the setting mechanism, valve mechanism controlling theoperation of the motor, and a lever also operatively connected with thesetting mechanism and with said valve mechanism and adapt-ed by itsinitial movement to start the motor and by its arrest to stop the motor,said lever being capable of a limited initial movement independently ofthe setting mechanism and. adapted to operate said setting mechanismindependently of the motor, substantially as and for the purposes setforth.

2. In sawmill set-works the combination of a shaft, a lever mountedthereon and capable of limited movement independently thereof, a motoroperatively connected with said shaft, and valve mechanismcontrolling'the operation of said motor and having connections with saidlever and shaft whereby the initial movement of the lever in eitherdirec- &

tion will start the motor and its arrest will stop the motor,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In sawmill set works the combination of a shaft, a hand-lever mountedthereon and capable of limited movement independently thereof, a motoroperatively connected with said shaft, a valve controlling the operationof said motor, and a lever connected with said valve, hand-lever andshaft and adapted when operated by the initial movement of saidhand-lever to open said valve and when operated by said shaft, saidhand-lever being at rest, to close said valve, substantially as and forthe purposes set forth.

4. In sawmill set-works the combination of a shaft, a lever mounted uponsaid shaft and capable of limited movement independently thereof, stops,one of which is adjustable for limiting the movement of said shaft, amotor operatively connected with said shaft, and a valve controlling theoperation of said motor and so connected with said lever and shaft thatthe initial movement of the lever will open the valve and the arrest ofthe lever will close the valve, substantially as and for the purposesset forth.

5. In sawmill set-works the combination of a shaft, a lever mountedthereon and capable of limited movement independently thereof, a motoroperatively connected with said shaft, a valve controlling the operationof said motor and so connected with said lever and shaft that theinitial movement of the lever will open the valve and the arrest of thelever will close the valve, and means for varying the independentmovement of said lever with relation to said shaft, substantially as andfor the purposes set forth.

6. In sawmill set-works the combination of a rock-shaft, an arm fixedthereon, a lever loosely mounted on said shaft, stops arranged to limitthe independent movement of said arm and lever with relation to eachother, stops, one of which is adjustable for limiting the movement ofsaid arm, a motor operatively connected with said shaft and a valvecontrolling the operation of said motor and connected with said shaftand lever so that the initial movement of the lever will open said valveand the arrest of said lever will close said valve, substantially as andfor the purposes set forth.

7. In sawmill set-works the combination of a rock-shaft, a motoroperatively connected therewith, a hand-lever mounted on said shaft andcapable of limited movement independently thereof, a valve controllingthe operation of said motor, and a lever pivotally connected with saidshaft, hand-lever and valve, the connection of said lever with saidvalve surrounding said shaft, substantially as and for the purposes setforth.

8. In sawmill set-works the combination of a rock-shaft, a motoroperatively connected therewith, a valve controlling the operation ofsaid motor, a hand-lever mounted upon said shaft and capable of limitedindependent movement, a lever pivotally connected with said hand-leverand shaft and formed with an opening through which said shaft passes, ofsuflicient size to allow said lever to swing a limited distance on itspivot connection with said shaft, and a rod pivoted to said lever aroundthe opening therein and connecting it with said valve, substantially asand for the purposes set forth.

9. In sawmill set-works the combination of a rock-shaft, a motoroperatively connected with said shaft, a valvecontrolling the operationof said motor, a hand-lever mounted on said shaft and capable of limitedmovement independently thereof, a lever made of two parts with circularopenings through them and pivotally connected with said hand-lever androck-shaft, and a rod connected with said valve and provided with a headwhich is formed with an opening for the passage through it of, andlarger than, said shaft, and on opposite sides around said opening withcircular bearings fitted to turn in the openings in said lever partswhich are bolted together upon said head, substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

10. In sawmill set-works the combination of a rock-shaft provided with agear and an arm which are fixed thereon, stops one of which isadjustable for limiting the movement of said arm and rock-shaft, ahand-lever mounted on said shaft and capable of limited movementindependently thereof, a cylinder having fluid supply and exhaustconnections, a valve controlling said fluid connections, a piston fittedin said cylinder and connected with a rack engaging said gear, and alever connected with said rockshaft, hand-lever and valve so that theinitial movement of the hand-lever in either direction will open thevalve and its arrest at any point will cause the valve to be closed,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

11. In sawmill set-works the combination with the set-shaft and arock-shaft having an operating connection with said set-shaft, of amotor operatively connected with said rockshal't, a valve controllingthe operation of said motor, a hand-lever mounted on and capable oflimited movement independently of said rockshaft, and connectionsbetween said valve, hand-lever and rock-shaft whereby the initialmovement of said lever in either direction from a central position withreference to its independent movement will open said valve and thearrest of said lever at any point will cause said valve to be closed,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

12. In sawmill set-works the combination of a rock-shaft having an armfixed thereon, and a lever movable relatively to said arm, one beingprovided with opposing stops and the other with a tapered slide fortaking up riages, the combination with a set-lever, of

means controlled by the movement thereof and having suitable connectionswith the setworks to automatically operate the same, and means alsoconnected with said set-works and normally moving in both directions inadvance of said lever and in the path of the same whereby said set-workswill be manually operated should said automatically-Open ating meansbecome inoperative, substantially as described.

14. The combination, with a set-lever, of

means controlled by the movement thereof and havingsuitable connectionswith the setworks to automatically operate the same, and an oscillatingset-workslever normally moved by said means in both directions inadvance of said set-lever and in the path of the same, whereby saidset-works will be manually operated should said automatically-operatingmeans become inoperative, substantially asdescribed.

In witness whereof I hereto affix my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

ALBERT CUNNINGHAM.

Witnesses:

CHAS. L. Goss, E. V. WRIGHT.

